Fire destroys church building

Anderson County Firefighters from several stations came to put out a fire which destroyed New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

The side of New Hope Baptist Church is engulfed in flames.

South Greenville Fire Department gets their ladder truck sent up to help start fighting the fire at New Hope Baptist Church.

Firefighters from Friendship and Whitefield Fire Departments advance a hose line around to the back of New Hope Baptist Church.

9 year old Makaylia Massey (right) clutches a teddy bear as Carolyn Thompson places her arm around her as they both watch with sadness as their church is destroyed by fire. Vacation Bible School was scheduled to begin Monday evening at the church.

Cheddar station Anderson County firefighter Randy Creamer cools off with a water after a fire destroyed New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

Friendship station Anderson County firefighter Rodney Madison, left, and Cade Frith, right, spray down hot spots inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Friendship station Anderson County firefighter Rodney Madison, left, and Cade Frith, right, spray down hot spots inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Cheddar station Anderson County firefighter Randy Creamer walks out after helping fight a fire which destroyed New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

Ebenezer station Anderson County firefighter Justin Manley helps unload a water tanker at a fire which destroyed New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

A fire investigator looks inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Cheddar station Anderson County firefighter Donnie Epps, right, and Randy Creamer, left, carry out hoses after a fire destroyed New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

Anderson County Fire Chief Billy Gibson communicates outside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Friendship station Anderson County firefighter Rodney Madison spray down hot spots inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

A Duke Power worker stands near New Hope Baptist Church in Belton after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Cheddar volunteer Kelly Alewine sprays down a hot spot at New Hope Baptist Church in Belton as a morning fire destroyed the building.

Anderson County firefighters rest after fighting a fire outside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday.

New Hope Baptist Church in Belton members Joe and Lena Oglesby of Belton walk by the front of their church Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Anderson County firefighters sprays down hot spots at New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

riendship station Anderson County firefighter Rodney Madison, left, sprays down hot spots while Cade Frith, right, gets a drink inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton on Monday.

Anderson County firefighters sprays down hot spots at New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

New Hope Baptist Church in Belton members Joe and Lena Oglesby of Belton hug in front of their church Monday, after a morning fire destroyed the building.

Anderson County firefighter Rodney Madison, left, of Friendship station, and Cade Frith, right, spray down hot spots inside New Hope Baptist Church in Belton Monday. The church was destroyed by the fire.